Gauze dispenser



J y 27, 1954 LE ROY K. MILLS ETAL 2,684,716

GAUZE DISPENSER Filed July 28, 1952 Patented July 27, 1954 a ign ()FFICEGAUZE DISPENSER Le Roy K. Mills, Baltimore, Md., and Ollie F. Slaby,Parma, Ohio Application July 28, 1952, Serial No. 301,172

12 Claims. 1

Our present invention comprises a novel dispenser, designed especiallyfor maintaining and dispensing gauze for bandages under sterile andsanitary conditions.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of thetype referred to in which sterile gauze may be sealed under sterile andsanitary conditions, and from which dispenser the gauze may be withdrawnor dispensed Without being touched by the human hand so as to bemaintained under sterile conditions at all times.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser for sterilebandage material such as auze, in which the same is sealed under sterileconditions and from which the same may be dispensed without beingtouched by the human hand, whereby a portion of the sterile bandagematerial may be dispensed for use while retaining the unused portionwithin the dispenser in uncontaminated condition for later use.

- Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the typereferred to in which sterile bandage material such as gauze may besealed dispensing a portion thereof from outside of the dispenserwithout touching the same with the human hand and maintaining theremaining portion of the material within the dispenser in uncontaminatedcondition. 7

A further object of the invention is. to provide a dispenser of the typereferred to in which sterile bandage material is sealed under sanitaryconditions, and from which the sterile bandage material may be dispensedby manipulation from the outside of the dispenser to move the bandagematerial within the dispenser and cause a portion of the same to besevered from the remainder at a point within the dispenser, all withouttouching the bandage material with the human hand,

and while maintaining the material within the dispenser inuncontaminatedcondition.

Inv carrying our invention into practice, we provide a dispenser of thetype referred to, comprising a housing or. container within which a rollof sterile bandage material may be sealed under sterile and sanitaryconditions, the same having a dispensing end provided with a narrowopening through which the bandage material may be dispensed. Slide meansis provided inside the housing of the dispenser for, engaging the freeend of the sterile bandage material to move it toward the openingthrough which it is dispensed, such slide means having associatedtherewith manipulatingmeans operable from the outside of the dispenserhousing for eifecting under sterile conditions, and manipulated for resmovement of the slide means. The dispenser of our invention furtherincludes a cutting blade disposed inside of the dispenser housingadjacent the dispensing opening, and the slide means and manipulatingmeans are so constructed and arranged as to enable movement of the freeend of the roll of bandage material into position for dispensing throughthe dispensing opening and also to enable movement of the free end ofthe sterile bandage material into a different position for severing of aportion of said material by the cutting blade inside of the dispenser.

Our invention further contemplates the employment of provisions on theslide means for engaging the sterile bandage material to insure itsbeing moved only in the direction toward the dispensing opening and toprevent its being withdrawn inwardly from engagement with the slidemember.

Our invention further contemplates the provision of a removable covermember, or nosepiece which is designed to slidably fit over thedispensing end of the dispenser so as to normally close the dispensingopening and prevent the entrance of air so as to avoid internalcontamination of the bandage material. This removable cover isconstructed of flexible material in such manner that when detached fromthe dispenser, it may be used to engage the free end of-the bandageinaterial'moved by the slider through the dispensing opening so as to,draw out of the dispenser a suitable portion of the bandage material tobe severed from the remaining portion inside the dispenser.

With the foregoing objects and general statement of the features of ourinvention in view, We Will now proceed to a detailed descriptionthereof, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is'a top plan view of a dispenser embodying our invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 22 ofFigure 3.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the complete dis- Denser.

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 44 of Figure 1, showingthe slide means in its normal condition Figure 5 is a similar sectionalview showing the slide means in position under the cutting blade, thefree end of the bandage material extending through the dispensingopening and clampingly engaged by the flexible cover in condition forsevering the dispensed portion of the bandage ma terialby the cuttingblade. 7 7

Figure 6 is an enlarged detailed sectional view,

similar to Figure 5, with the parts in the same condition.

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, showingthe slide means moved toward the dispensing opening above the cuttingblade for causing the free edge of the bandage material to be insertedthrough the dispensing opening.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 1.

As illustrated in the drawings, the dispenser of our invention comprisesa housing or casing consisting of two matched upper and lower halfsections respectively designated by the numerals I and 2, the same beingformed with respective flange portions Ia and 2a which fit together inface-to-face relation for joining the sections I and 2 together. Thecasing sections I and 2 comprise semi-cylindrical portions 3 and 4respectively, which when the sections are joined together, form acylindrical housing portion within which a cylindrical roll of bandagematerial designated by the numeral 5, may be disposed as seen in Figures3, 4 and 5. The casing sections I and 2 are also formed with dispensingportions 5 and I extending from the semi-cylindrical portions 3 and 4 insubstantially parallel relation as seen best in Figures 3, 4 and 5.

Within the dispensing portion formed by the spaced parallel extendingportions 6 and I, there is disposed a movable slide member generallydesignated 8, consisting of upper and lower plate members respectivelydesignated 9 and I0, which are joined together only at their side edgesas indicated at I I. The free end 5a of the bandage material as it isunwound from the cylindrical roll 5, is adapted to be inserted betweenthe plate members 5 and IE! in frictional engagement therewith with thefree end edge 51) of the bandage material extending beyond the slidemember 8 toward the dispensing opening of the device, designated I2,formed at the outer extremity of the portions 6 and I by a separationtherebetween. In this connection, it may be noted that flanges Ia and 2aby which the casing sections I and 2 are joined together, extend aroundthe casing section to a point short of the extremity at which thedispensing opening I2 is located.

The upper plate member 9 of the slide memher 8 has a stud I3 joinedthereto and extending upwardly therefrom through an elongated slot M inthe upper casing section I. The upper end of the stud I3 has a knob orbutton I5 secured thereto for manipulation by the person using thedispenser to cause the slide member 8 to be moved toward or away thedispensing opening I2. A spring I6 is interposed between the knob orbutton I5, and a cup washer I'I bearing against the upper surface of thedispensing portion 6. The spring I5 encompasses the stud I3 and theupper end of the spring is received in a recess in button I5, the lowerend of the spring being received in the central cup portion of thewasher II which has a central aperture through which the stud I3extends. The washer I1 is formed with a peripheral annular flange Ila,which extends within and is encompassed by a peripheral annular flangeportion I500 of the knob or button t5, the body of the latter beingprovided with a circumferential or annular recess I51) within which theflange portion IIa of the washer Il may extend when the knob or buttonI5 is pressed downwardly to compress the spring I6.

It will be understood that the slide member 8 is movable within thelimits defined by the ends 4 of the elongated slot I4 through which thestud I3 extends and in all positions of such movement the slot I4 willbe covered by the flanged cup washer I! and the button I5 associatedtherewith.

The casing or housing sections I and. 2 of the dispenser may be formedof any suitable material, but preferably we form the same of a molda'oleor formable plastic material which has sufficient body and rigidity forthe purpose. We also provide a detachable cover or nosepiece which maybe of similar plastic material but which is sufficiently resilient andflexible for the purpose to be hereinafter described. This cover ornosepiece I3 fits tightly over the dispensing end of the device so as tocompletely close the opening I2.

Within the dispensing portion of the dispenser adjacent the opening I2,there is disposed a knife or cutting blade I9 secured to the lowersection 2, the blade having a cutting edge I9a arranged in spacedrelation to the bottom wall of the section 2 and disposed some distanceinwardly (or leftwardly, having reference to Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and '7)from the opening I2. The blade I9 is adapted to sever adesired lengthofgauze 5 from the remainder thereof in the manner hereinafter described.

The outer or rightward edge of the lower plate III of slide member 8 isbeveled slightly upwardly and provided with teeth 29 adapted to engagethe gauze extending between the plates 9 and It to prevent the gauzefrom being withdrawn backwardly (or leftwardly referring to Figures 3 to6) from between said plates.

In the employment of our invention for the purpose of providing asanitary dispenser for bandage material such as gauze commonly used forbandaging purposes, we contemplate that before the casing sections I and2 are secured together, the free end of the roll of gauze 5 will havebeen inserted between the plate members 53 and III of the slide member 8so that the free edge 5b thereof protrudes outwardly therefrom in themanner indicated in Figure 4, whereafter the roll of gauze will besealed into the dispenser comprised of the sections I and 2 which willnow be secured together attheir flanged portions Ia and 2a in anysuitable manner, all of which is accomplished under highly sterile andsanitary conditions. It will be noted that the free edge 5b of the gauzedoes not extend through the opening I2 of the dispenser, the same beingclosed by the detachable cover or nosepiece I8 tightly fitted over thedispensing end of the device as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

In view of the arrangement of the button I5 in conjunction with theflanged cup washer I7 and the spring I6 interposedtherebetween, it willbe understood that the elongated slot I4 is at all times covered by thewasher and button. Thus, it will be understood that the gauze within thedispenser is completely enclosed under sanitary and sterile conditionsand is maintained sealed against free entrance of air so as to preventcontamination in use. p

In the operation of dispensing gauze for the purposes of steriledressings or bandages, the person using the dispenser will grasp withhis fingers the cover, or nosepiece I8, and slip it off the dispensingend of the device to thereby uncover the dispensing opening I2. Next,the button I5 will be moved rightwardly-from the condition shown inFigures 3 and l, to move the slide member 8 to the condition shown inFigure 7 whereby the end edge 51) of the gauze is caused to protrudeoutwardly through the opening I2 of the dispenser in the manner shown inFigure 7. Now, the protruding end edge '56 of the gauze may be grippedby manipulation of the'fiexible cover or nosepiece I8 after the mannershown at the right of Figure 5, by pressure of the fingers of theoperator upon the member [8 whereby to grippingly engage the end of thegauze received within the member I 8. Thus, by such manipulation of themember I8, a suitable length of gauze can be drawn out of the dispenser.When that is done, the button I5 is moved leftwardly from the positionof Figure 7, until the slide member 8 is disposed leftwardly of theblade i9; then thebutton I5 is pressed downwardly against the action ofthe spring I6 to cause the plate II! of the slide member to engage thebottom wall of the dispenser, after which the button I5 is movedrightwardly to the position of Figures 5 and 6 inwhich the outer orrighthand portion of the 'slide member is disposed beneath the cuttingblade I9. It will be noted that the free end of the gauze passingthrough the slide member 8 is now disposed so that it passes around andover the cutting edge I9a of the blade, and is held in engagement withthe cutting edge Ida in condition to be severed. Now the portion of thegauze gripped by the cover member 18 is manipulated so as to cause theblade I5) to sever the portion of the gauze protruding from thedispenser from the portion of the gauze remaining in the dispenser andheld in the position shown in Figure 6.

Thus, the gauze is severed at a point within the dispenser spaced fromthe opening I2. In the severing operation, the portion of the gauzeextending between the slide member and the cutting edge I9a of the bladestill protrudes from the slide member to be inserted through the openingI2 in the manner above described by manipulation of the slide memberwhen it is next desired to dispense another length of gauze. After theoperation of severing a length of gauze in the manner described, thecover member or nosepiece I8 is replaced upon the dispenser in themanner shown in Figures 3 and 4. Thus, it will be seen that the gauzewithin the dispenser is maintained sealed in from contamination anduntouched by the human hand at all times, even during the dispensingoperation.

It will be understood of course that for the next dispensing operation,the slide member will be moved by means of the button I5 leftwardly fromthe position of Figure 6 so as to clear the blade I9 after which thespring IE will move the slide member upwardly to the position of Figure4 after which the slide member may be moved by means of the button I 5rightwardly from the position of Figure 4 to the position of Figure 7 tocause the protruding edge of the gauze to be inserted through theopening I2.' In the course of this manipulation, the teeth 25) preventthe gauze from being withdrawn rearwardly or leftwardly from between theblades 9 and I!) of the slide member.

cutting blade having a cutting edge and disposed within said housingwith said cutting edge spaced from said opening and spaced from thewalls of said dispensing portion, and manipulating means connected tothe slide means and operable from outside the housing to move the slidemeans within said housing toward and away from said opening, the slidemeans being of a thickness less than the distance'between the cuttingedge of said blade and one of the walls of said dispensing portion.

2. A gauze dispenser of the class described, comprising, in combination,a housing having a dispensing portion provided with a dispensing openingthrough which gauze may be dispensed, slide means disposed within thehousing in mov able relation thereto, said slide means having provisionsfor engaging a portion of gauze within said housing, to move the gauzerelative thereto, a cutting blade having a cutting edge and disposedwithin said housing with said cutting edge spaced from said opening andspaced from the walls of said dispensing portion, and manipulating meansconnected to the slide means and 0p erable from outside the housingtomove the slide means within said housing toward and away from saidopening, said manipulating means being also operable to move the slidemeans to different positions on opposite sides of said blade, the slidemeans being of a thickness less than the distance between the cuttingedge of said blade and one of the walls of said dispensing portion.

3. A gauze dispenser of the class described comprising, in combinatiomahousing having a dispensing portion provided with a dispensing openingthrough which gauze may be dispensed, slide means disposed within thehousing in movable relation thereto, said slide means having pro visionsfor engaging a portion of gauze within said housing, to move the gauzerelative thereto, manipulating means connected to the slide means andoperable from outside the housing to move the slide means within andrelative to said housing, toward and away from said opening, and acutting blade disposed within the housing and having a cutting edgespaced from said opening and spaced from the walls of the dispensingportion, the slide means being movable by the manipulating means to aposition in which a portion of the slide means is disposed on one sideof the blade adjacent the said opening, and said slide means beingmovable to another position in which the same portion of the slide meansis disposed on the opposite side of said blade, the slide means being ofa thickness less than the distance between the cutting edge of saidblade and one of the walls of said dispensing portion.

4. A gauze dispenser of the class described,

' comprising, in combination, a housing having a The washer member I!fits closely around the stud I3 so that the slot I4 is covered by thewasher member at all times.

We claim:

1. A gauze dispenser of the class described, comprising, in combination,a housing having a dispensing portion provided with a dispensing openingthrough which gauze may be dispensed, slide means disposed within thehousing in movable relation thereto, said slide means having provisionsfor engaging a portion of gauze within said housing, to move the gauzerelative thereto, a

dispensing portion provided with a dispensing opening through whichgauze may be dispensed, slide means disposed within the housing inmovable relation thereto, said slide means comprising upper and lowerplate members between which gauze may be inserted for frictionalengagement thereby, said housing having a slot through one wall thereof,a stud having one end secured to one of said plate members and extendingthrough said slot, a manipulating member secured to the other end of thestud outwardly of the housing. and a cutting blade disposed within thehousing, said blade having a cutting edge spaced from said opening andspaced from the walls of the dispensing portion, said slot beingelongated in a direction to permit movement of the slide means towardand away from said opening, the stud being of a length permittingmovement of the slide means in a direction axially of the stud wherebythe slide means is movable by the manipulating member to a position inwhich a portion of the slide means is disposed on one side of said bladeadjacent said opening, and said slide means is also movable to aposition in which the same portion of the slide means is disposed on theother side of said blade, the slide means being of a thickness less thanthe distance between the cutting edge of said blade and one of the wallsof said dispensing portion.

5. A gauze dispenser as claimed in claim 1, combined with a covermember, slidably and removably fittable over said dispensing portion toclose said opening.

6. A gauze dispenser as claimed in claim 1, combined with a cover membercomposed of flexible and resilient material slidably and removablyfittable over said dispensing portion to close said opening, said covermember when removed irom the dispenser being adapted to grippinglyengage the free end of gauze dispensed from said opening.

7. A gauze dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing has acylindrical portion communicating with said dispensing portion andadapted to receive a roll of gauze.

8. A gauze dispenser as claimed in claim 4, and spring means interposedbetween the manipulating member and the adjacent wall of said housing tonormally maintain the slide means in condition to be slidably moved toone of said positions.

9. A gauze dispenser as claimed in claim 4, combined with a washermember on said stud and engaging the exterior of said housing to coversaid slot.

10. A gauze dispenser as claimed in claim 4, combined with a washermember on said stud and engaging the exterior of said housing to coversaid slot, said manipulating member having an annular recess, and saidwasher member having an annular flange received in said recess.

11. A gauze dispenser as claimed in claim 4, combined with a washermember on said stud and engaging the exterior of said housing to coversaid slot, said manipulating member having an annular recess, and saidwasher member having an annular flange received in said recess, andspring means interposed between said washer member and said manipulatingmember.

12. A gauze dispenser as claimed in claim 4, wherein one of said plateshas an edge provided with teeth engageable with gauze inserted betweensaid plate members.

Eeferences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 655,196 Church et a1. Aug. '7, 1900 1,899,625 Metts Feb. 2%,1933 FOREIGN PATENTS N umber Country Date 729,693 France May 2, 1932

